Immunomodulator

Abstract

The present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition to be used for the treatment or prophylaxis of allergic diseases. More specifically, the present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition to be used for the treatment or prophylaxis of allergic diseases, which contains a substance that induces selective IgA class switching in B cells. As a substance that induces selective IgA class switching in B cells, a PKC activator can be used. In addition, a composition containing a substance that induces selective IgA class switching in B cells can also be useful as a mucosal adjuvant.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for treating or preventing an allergic disease in a subject, comprising a step of administering to the subject bryostatin 1 to induce selective IgA class switching in B cells. 
     
     
       2. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the allergic disease is selected from the group consisting of atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, allergic gastroenteritis, bronchial asthma, childhood asthma, food allergy, drug allergy, and urticaria. 
     
     
       3. A method for enhancing an action of a mucosal vaccine in a subject, the method comprising administering to the subject bryostatin 1 to induce selective IgA class switching in B cells and administering to the subject a mucosal vaccine. 
     
     
       4. The method according to  claim 1 , which does not comprise a step of administering CD40. 
     
     
       5. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the administration is transnasal administration, oral administration, inhalation administration, ocular instillation administration, or transdermal administration. 
     
     
       6. A method for immunomodulation in a subject, comprising a step of administering bryostatin 1 to the subject to induce selective IgA class switching in B cells in the subject.